
	OPEN ENDURANCE KART CHAMPIONSHIP

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	WInter cup ROUND 1

	RACE REPORT
	Round 1 of the WINTER CUP promised to be a chilly event, with overnight temperatures dropping to near freezing. The day was clear throughout, if a little cold. 13 teams attended. For the first time this year, ProKarts attended with 4 teams in the class. 2 ThunderKarts were entered, and in the Open Class a TKM 4 Stroke and a Rotax Max. 4 Senior Maxes and a ProMax represented the 2-stroke fraternity. The Championship was also please to welcome a future F1 star in the shape of BAR Young Driver James Rossiter, who was driving for WGS. During practice, several teams were running new karts. Both Autoshield and TT Sport were having their first outings in their Senior Maxes & Box Tech had a new Wright chassis to get to grips with. TT Sport were immediately setting a fast pace. Autoshield, however, were suffering with problems being new to the world of 2 stroke set up. Team Slick, entering 2 karts for the first time, saw their No 1 kart up in third place. Appliance Maintenance were forth in their ProMax. Roberti Racing took the lead ProKart slot, with ProKart Engineering just behind. OSP suffered a disastrous qualifying, failing to complete a lap. Refuelling was completed in double quick time, and 12 of the 13 karts took to the grid. OSP, still suffering with problems, started the race 1 lap down. For the first time, a handicap system was used to give all classes a chance of overall victory. The Max Class provided the Datum, with ProKarts getting a 13-lap advantage, ThunderKarts 6, and the ProMax 5. After an initial false start, the karts got away and TT Sport set at a fast pace, with Box Tech snapping at their heels. By the second corner, a flying Slick 1 were up to 3rd place. This was to be shorted lived, however, when a multiple kart pile up meant they fell back to 12th. This incident also caused a lengthy delay for WGS 1, who had to make an hour round trip to fetch their spare chassis after their race chassis was damaged. With the handicap laps added, it was ProKart Engineering who had top spot on the leader board. With around a 3 second per lap gap, the Max teams were going to have to push hard to reach the front. Polesitters TT Sport were making the most of their new equipment, and were setting a pace that could see them challenge for overall victory. This was not to be, though, as a chain failure saw them stop out on the circuit. As the race reached the one-third stage, the ProKart of ProKart Engineering held a 3-lap lead over Roberti Racing, with No Name in 3rd. Slick 1 held the lead in the ThunderKart class, WGS 2 led the Open Class, and Appliance Maintenance led the ProMax class. Box Tech had the Senior Max lead. WGS 1 finally rejoined the race after 2 hours, and were immediately on the pace lapping in the mid 41 second bracket. A little after this, Slick 1 received a 1 lap penalty for a yellow flag infringement, putting a dent in their chances of catching the leader. With two-thirds distance complete, the top three places remained as it had for the previous hour and a half. Box Tech had jumped up through the field, and were now in sixth, behind the 2 Slick Karts. With only 45 minutes to go, Box Tech leading the Senior Max class & closing on the karts in front, disaster struck. The sprockets had worn to an alarming level but worse was lurking within the clutch casing. One of the clutch shoe pins had sheared & their race was over. With the closing stages of the race fast approaching Autoshield suffered a setback, when contact just after the pit entrance meant they had to complete a full lap before they could pit to repair a damaged rear bumper that was rubbing against the tyre. As the chequered flag fell, it was ProKart Engineering who took the overall victory from Roberti Racing, with No Name taking third. The final round of the 2005/2006 Whilton Mill Open Endurance WINTER CUP will take place on the 12th February 2006.

Regulations